It’s a common condition that can occur at any time during a woman’s life. In fact, researchers believe that there are around 32 million women who suffer from vaginal atrophy for years, yet don’t talk to their physician about it. The good news is, there are treatments that can counteract not just the symptoms, but the causes.

Symptoms

Vaginal atrophy is most common for women who are postmenopausal. It’s the result of reduced levels of estrogen being produced by the ovaries. Because estrogen is responsible for vaginal fluid production and elasticity in the vagina, its reduction creates a thinning and inflammation of the vaginal wall. This is the known as vaginal atrophy. In addition to vaginal dryness, it can cause itching, soreness, irritation, involuntary urination, and even pain or bleeding during sex. Not only does vaginal atrophy affect you physically, it can affect you emotionally as well.

Treatment

There are options for treatment of vaginal atrophy, so it’s important that if you’re experiencing symptoms, you should seek out a specialist who deals with GYN disorders in The Woodlands. Most physicians will likely prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT), in addition to creams to treat skin irritation, lubricants, and moisturizers. However, for women who have been treated for cancer with anti-hormone drugs, HRT is not an option, and for others, past studies linking HRT as a cause of breast cancer is concerning. In some situations, doctors may suggest surgical options, such as labiaaplasty (an altering of the inner and outer labia) or vaginoplasty (a method of reducing the width of the vaginal canal).

Luckily, women dealing with these OB-GYN problems in The Woodlands have the option for an alternative treatment for vaginal atrophy, called the MonaLisa Touch Treatment. This is a non-surgical option that treats the causes of vaginal atrophy, not just the symptoms. And, the treatment takes no longer than 5 minutes.

Natural Regeneration

The MonaLisa Touch Treatment is a laser treatment using photon energy to revitalize vaginal tissue by stimulating collagen formation. It improves cell proliferation, and restores blood supply. Three 5-minute treatments are usually prescribed. It requires no anesthesia, and there’s no recuperation time required. However, doctors do suggest that those who have undergone the treatment abstain from sex for 5 days.

Because the treatment restores the natural pH balance of the mucosal layer of the vagina, it reduces symptoms such as dryness and irritation. It can also decrease the effects of fissuring, which are tears in the vagina’s mucous membrane.

If you are experiencing GYN disorders, it’s likely time for a full gynecological check up in The Woodlands. The symptoms that accompany vaginal atrophy are something that women should be forced to live with. For more information on the benefits of the MonaLisa Touch Treatment, in addition to contact information for our office, please visit our website.